Fires rage around Athens, sending people fleeing their homes in panic

More than 250 firefighters are battling the massive blaze that broke out around 3 p.m. Sunday near the town of Varnavas, 35 kilometers (22 miles) north of Athens. Twelve firefighting planes and seven helicopters are taking part in the effort. By afternoon, the fire had spread to homes, prompting residents to evacuate, Reuters reported.

– The fire broke into the village within 10 minutes, Katerina Fylaktou, who fled the blaze with her children and dog, told Skai TV. She added that many people fled their homes in panic.

Fire brigade spokesman Vassilis Vathrakogiannis said the fire had become very large because of the wind in the area, adding that the flames were 25 meters high.

The fight against the fire is also ongoing in the forest near Megara, west of the capital. The city's mayor told media that the fire had already engulfed several houses, local media reported. A fire also broke out on Sunday, among others, in the forest area in the town of Filiates, in the region bordering Albania. As reported by the Protothema portal, firefighters are fighting the fire primarily from the air, because it is a difficult area due to the minefield located there.

Lagouvardos Kostas, scientific director of the Athens Observatory, said the coming days would be critical. “What makes the situation so dangerous is the prolonged drought and the very high temperatures that have persisted for a long time,” Lagouvardos told state broadcaster ERT.

On Saturday, Greek Minister for Climate Crisis and Civil Defence Vasilis Kikilias warned that Greece faces a very difficult week in terms of fires. He announced that half of the country will be in a zone of very high fire risk.